205
Graduate Programs
205.61
Physics
205.61 Physics
Department of Physics
4-183 CCIS
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E!
E-mail: phys-gradprogram@ualberta.ca
205.61.1 General Information
Programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy are open to suitable graduates in physics, engineering physics, geophysics, or equivalent programs. The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences in conjunction with the Department of Physics also offers a one-year Master of Science (MSc) degree in Integrated Petroleum Geosciences (refer to §205.20.3)
The Department's focus areas of research, each of which includes experimental, observational, computational and theoretical components, are the following:
Astrophysical Sciences: astronomy, cosmology, general relativity and black hole physics, computational plasma physics, fusion, laboratory plasmas, magnetic confinement, auroral, magnetospheric and space physics, radiation belt physics. | |
Condensed Matter Physics and Material Science: biophysics, dynamic processes at surfaces, electron and scanning probe microscopy, high Tc superconductivity, magnetism, nanoscale physics, phase transitions in porous media, ultrafast laser spectroscopy, ultrafast microscopy. | |
Particle Physics: high energy particle physics, particle astrophysics, nuclear astrophysics, string theory and supersymmetry, precision tests of the standard model. (Experimental work is conducted at CERN, Fermilab, Sandia, TRIUMF.) | |
Geophysics: fluids in porous media, geodynamics, magneto-telluric methods, paleomagnetism, rock magnetism, rock physics, seismology. |
Individual programs will be arranged in consultation with the Associate Chair of the Department of Physics and members of the Department. Information, including more detailed program requirements, may be obtained by contacting the Associate Chair of the Department of Physics.
Entrance Requirements
The Department's admission requirements are an undergraduate degree in physics, engineering physics, geophysics or an equivalent program, normally with an average of 3.2 in the last two years of undergraduate work (or graduate work) at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. Where applicable (refer to §203.2.4), candidates must pass the TOEFL test with a score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 88 (internet-based, with a minimum of 20 on each subtest).
Financial Assistance
A number of graduate assistantships are available. Applicants are automatically considered for this assistance when they are accepted into the graduate program.
205.61.2 The Degree of MSc
Program Requirements
A minimum of 
12 is generally required of students in the MSc program. Of these, two courses (6) must be taken in the Department of Physics, and two courses (6) must be at the 500-level or above. Students in the Geophysics specialization must take GEOPH 521 (Global Geodynamics). All other students must have credit in at least one of the following core physics courses: PHYS 511 (Advanced Quantum Mechanics I), PHYS 524 (Classical Electrodynamics), and PHYS 530 (Statistical Mechanics). Specific course requirements are determined by the focus area in which the student is studying. The student's supervisory committee may also make additional requirements. A research project, the results of which are to be presented in a thesis and an oral examination, is also required.
A supervisory committee of three faculty members is appointed for each graduate student. Within the first year of registration in the program, the committee makes a formal recommendation on the candidate's potential for graduate work. At this time students may in certain cases be permitted to transfer directly to a PhD program if their progress should warrant such a transfer.
There is no language requirement for the degree of MSc.
The minimum period of residence for the thesis MSc is two four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Length of Program
The time required will vary according to the previous training of the candidate and the nature of the research undertaken; however, an average of two years is normally required to complete the MSc program.
205.61.3 The Degree of PhD
Program Requirements
Students in the PhD program are required to take a minimum of 24 after the equivalent of the Honors BSc degree from the University of Alberta. These include the courses required for the MSc program. Students in the Geophysics specialization must take GEOPH 521 (Global Geodynamics). All other students must pass two of the following core physics courses: PHYS 511 (Advanced Quantum Mechanics I), PHYS 524 (Classical Electrodynamics), and PHYS 530 (Statistical Mechanics), or equivalent courses. Specific course requirements may be determined by the focus area in which the student is studying. The student's supervisory committee may also make additional requirements. All students in the PhD program are advised to take at least 6 in fields of study different from their own research areas. When the course requirements are successfully completed, the student's research is presented orally and in written (thesis) form to an examining committee. No language other than English is required for the degree.
The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Length of Program
The minimum time for completion of a PhD degree is three academic years of study and research after the Honors BSc degree or two academic years after the equivalent of the MSc degree at the University of Alberta. Normally the PhD degree is completed within five years of the BSc, or within four years of the MSc.
205.61.4 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the following subject headings:
Geophysics (GEOPH)
Physics (PHYS)
